Martini Groove

Lest you go out in to the world on New Year's Eve and tell everyone that you read Martini Lounge then proceed to forget the words to Auld Lang Syne at midnight, thereby embarrassing yourself, we've faithfully reproduced them here. If nothing else you'll impress a few people in your drunken stupor. Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of Auld Lang Syne? For Auld Lang Syne, My dear, For Auld Lang Syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for Auld Lang Syne. Drink a toast to me (if it's a good drink) and I'll see you in 2006!

Cure for the (not-so) Common Hangover There are a lot of homegrown cures for Hangovers, but only a few actually work and have scientific fact. In this post, I'll give you some of the ones that work well and without making you swallow a gallon of jalapeno sauce. Stick with these simple solutions and you'll be back to 95% by 2 or 3pm. Not bad! First: The V8 Probably the best all-around hangover cure is V8. It contains fluids to help rehydrate, potassium to help you balance those fluids, and B vitamins to help you balance enzymes in your blood stream, plus salt to help your system absorb the fluids. Don't buy the low sodium kind. Spell Banana Let's not forget the almighty banana. It is loaded with potassium which, again, helps balance your fluids, helps normalize the heartbeat, and sends oxygen to the brain (which will reduce that dizzy feeling you have). Plus it's loaded with needed sugars to replace the one's you hyper-burned thanks to the alcohol. Bring it Home...

Lest we at the Martini Lounge become too full of ourselves, we bring you a way to get the attention at your favorite beer swilling party. The Ring Thing is a handy bottle opener that sits just like any other ring on your finger but has a special purpose (no, not like the Special Purpose in The Jerk ). Talk to a girl, offer to grab her a beer, bring the whole thing back to her and pop this off with your amazing new gadget right in front of her. It may not get you sex, but at least you'll get to spend a few more minutes with her than you normally would have before she completely blows you off. The Ring Thing [Mango International Website]

The LA Times food section has come out with a great article about Champagne and how it doesn't *have* to suck. It goes nicely in to the history, the different flavors, and the importance of territory. The last being something a lot of people don't think about when they purchase a bottle. If you want to pick the right Champagne, then you'll need to figure out something about the over 5,000 growers in the region. Which brings me to my Martini toast idea.... ...and truly distinctive Champagnes flow [LA Times]

Dropping Hamilton's like Aaron Burr? Well, that $10 can you get some decent wines in this story from New York Times. My favorite on the list is J. Vidal-Fleury Côtes-du-Rhône 2001. None of the wines are *great,* but for $8 it's hard to complain. Who Knew $10 Bill Had Such A Nice Bouquet? [NYTimes.com]

Lime Disease is a serious problem affecting thousands of gatherings a year. Poorly cut limes that won't fit in to the mouth opening of your Corona creates havoc at many a get-together leaving party goers unrefreshed, unsatisfied, and unwiling to return to your next shindig. Fear not! The Corona Lime Slicer is here. Just throw your lime on the tray, use the stainless steel top to push down on it, and voila! 7 slices made to slide nicely in to your imported beer. Apparently it also works with lemons, but that just seems silly. Who would want a lemon in their Corona? Corona Lime Slicer [Kegworks]

Well, rather than answer the really hard questions, some people spend their time and money trying to find answers to the easier ones. A study in the latest British Medical Journal states that people pour 20-30% more alcohol into short glasses than they do in to tall ones that hold the same amount of liquid. They did a study with regular students as well as pro bartenders and pretty much got the same results In fact, pro bartenders averaged 20.5% more alcohol in to the short ones . So getting a drink in a short glass means that 2 drinks is actually equal to 2.5 drinks. So, if you're going out drinking, order a mixed drink in a short glass (Might I recommend a vodka tonic?). If you're throwing a party, use tall ones. Yes, The Martini Lounge is not above saving a few bucks on alcohol. Short glasses more likely to lead to over-indulgence [EurekaAlert]